mission accomplished, finally...

Long time readers know that I've had this obsession/fascination with the idea of obtaining a handful of grave dirt from Eugene O'Neill's gravesite for a very long time now (over 2 years). Not having a jet-setting income and being able to get myself to Boston to do this myself I sought a web buddy that lived in the area to do the deed for me. Two years of searching forums, posting to craigslist-boston, begging area photographers that had an inkling for the bizarre... this last option proved the most promising as this past summer there was a young woman in northern Massachusetts that was doing self portraits in cemeteries and she became intrigued by the idea of doing this for me. Alas, I know not why she failed the task other than she got busy with school and other elements of life.

Then, about two weeks ago I created a new group in Flickr called "Cemetery People". A place to contribute photos of people inside cemeteries. I spent a weekend combing Flickr looking for people to invite to the group. That was when and how I discovered "ReallyStrangeGirl"; a prolific photographer, writer, and all around very interesting soul in Boston. We started a short conversation about things, and I went ahead and sprung the idea on her. And she bit! Here is a self portrait she shot at O'Neill's grave at the time she obtained the "soil sample" for me.

The package arrived yesterday, just in time for the beginning of this years Nanowrimo project. For now I have chosen not to open the package as it feels so powerful as a charm just as it is.